Watch "Fasnacht in Helvetia, West Virginia"
Open in New TabProduction Information
Quick Facts
| Status | Released |
| Language | EN |
Fasnacht in Helvetia, West Virginia
0.0/10
Overview
For 58 years, the small town of Helvetia, West Virginia, has held an annual Fasnacht — or “fasting night” — celebration to mark the end of winter. This event can be traced back to the mid-20th century, when Swiss immigrants began hosting the celebration to feel more connected to their culture after settling in the Appalachian mountains. Helvetia’s version of the event combines expected Fasnacht conventions with those of Sechseläuten, another end-of-winter holiday celebrated annually in Zürich. Participants eat traditional Swiss snacks, enjoy live Swiss and Appalachian tunes, wear homemade masks, square dance, and scare off Old Man Winter, who is burnt in effigy during the final moments of the night.
Status: Released
Language: EN